TWENTY young people are to be offered an apprenticeship at the Scottish Parliament.

The programme will see successful applicants aged 16 to 24 get the opportunity to work in visitor services, security, HR and IT at Holyrood.

Full details will be offered at an open day on November 21, when applications open. The deadline is December 7.

Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said: "The Scottish Parliament is an employer in its own right and we hope to lead by example. This apprenticeship scheme will provide opportunities for young people to build skills to help them in their future careers.

"We will offer a range of positions to help build skills and to develop confidence."

Parliament chief executive Paul Grice added: "The Scottish Parliament is a vibrant and modern workplace and we want a workforce that reflects the diversity of Scotland's population.

"We know the talent is out there and we want to see it in the Parliament.

"This scheme provides a great opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to use their different abilities and to develop new skills to help build a successful career.

"We are always looking for people with initiative to inject different ideas and fresh thinking and, in return, we offer a great organisation where young people can begin their career."

The Parliament will take on 11 apprentices in 2015 for a maximum of two years before drafting in another nine two years later - in 2017.